What Are the Dangers of Working in Confined Spaces?

The dangers of working in confined spaces include getting stuck and getting caught in a flood. Read on to learn more about these dangers and how to minimise them when working in confined spaces.

A confined space is an enclosed (or mostly enclosed) area that poses a risk. These risks will be known dangers like asphyxiation. They are often small spaces, but some larger areas like grain silos are also considered confined spaces. Spaces that pose a risk of serious injury or death, or those with limited entry and exit points, may also be considered confined.

It is sometimes necessary to work in these confined spaces while carrying out repairs, maintenance and other tasks. For example, tank cleaners, mechanical fitters, industrial electricians and plumbers sometimes need to access confined spaces.

What Are the Dangers of Working in Confined Spaces?

These are the main dangers of working in confined spaces:

• Getting Stuck: Confined spaces can make it difficult to escape or rescue people in the event of an emergency.

• Suffocation: Confined spaces can result in insufficient oxygen levels, leading to suffocation.

• Concentrated Hazards: Confined spaces can concentrate hazards, making them more dangerous (e.g. harmful gases and vapours).

• Drowning: Confined spaces increase the risk of flooding

• Explosions: Confined spaces make explosions and fires more deadly

• Heatstroke/Exhaustion: Confined spaces can lead to dangerous increases in body temperature, potentially resulting in heatstroke, exhaustion and collapse

Safety Considerations for Work in Confined Spaces

Work in confined spaces should be avoided wherever possible. If it's unavoidable, a thorough atmospheric test and risk assessment must be carried out to identify any potential hazards so that a safety plan can be put in place.

For example:

• If the space has a risk of harmful fumes, consider how these can be ventilated or removed.
  
  
• If there is limited oxygen, the worker(s) must be provided with breathing apparatus.
  
  
• There should always be a comprehensive rescue plan in place – it is not enough to rely on emergency services.
  
  
• All workers must be trained in both the work itself and the use of any emergency equipment.
  
  
• There should always be a trained person on standby outside the confined space to monitor conditions and assist in the event of an emergency.
  
  

At SafetyLiftinGear, we supply a Confined Space Rescue Kit containing the essential equipment needed for rescue operations from confined spaces. This kit includes:

• 1x G-Force TM9-N Lightweight Safety Tripod
• 1x G-Force RUP502 20mtr Man Riding Rescue Winch
• 1x G-Force P10R Rescue Full Safety Harness
• 1x BW 4-Gas Detector
• 1x DRAGER 10minute Escape Kit

All of these products comply to EN standards and come with a 12-month warranty.

Buy Confined Space Rescue Kit

If you have any questions about our confined space rescue kit or the dangers of working in confined spaces, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help.